First Known Use: 1618
Dictionary
1pedal
noun ped·al \ˈpe-dəl\
: a flat piece of metal, rubber, etc., that you push with your foot to make a machine move, work, or stop
: a lever on a piano, organ, etc., that you push with your foot to make or change a sound
Full Definition of PEDAL
1
: a lever pressed by the foot in the playing of a musical instrument (as an organ or piano)
2
: a foot lever or treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism
See pedal defined for English-language learners
See pedal defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of PEDAL
Middle French pedale, from Italian, from Latin pedalis, adjective
2pedal
adjective ped·al
Definition of PEDAL
1
\ˈpe-dəl also ˈpē-\ : of or relating to the foot
2
\ˈpe-\ : of, relating to, or involving a pedal
Origin of PEDAL
Latin pedalis, from ped-, pes
First Known Use: 1618
Other Anatomy Terms
3pedal
verb ped·al \ˈpe-dəl\
: to push the pedals of (something, such as a bicycle)
: to ride a bicycle to a particular place
ped·aled also ped·alledped·al·ing also ped·al·ling \ˈpe-dəl-iŋ, ˈped-liŋ\
Full Definition of PEDAL
intransitive verb
1
: to ride a bicycle
2
: to use or work a pedal
transitive verb
: to work the pedals of
See pedal defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PEDAL
1883
PEDAL Defined for Kids
1pedal
noun ped·al \ˈpe-dəl\
Definition of PEDAL for Kids
: a lever worked by the foot or feet
2pedal
verb
ped·aled also ped·alledped·al·ing also ped·al·ling
Definition of PEDAL for Kids
: to use or work levers with a foot or feet <She's learning how to pedal a bicycle.>
Medical Dictionary
pedal
adjective ped·al \ˈped-əl also ˈpēd-\
Medical Definition of PEDAL
: of or relating to the foot
Learn More About PEDAL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: pedalboardPrevious Word in the Dictionary: pedagogyAll Words Near: pedal
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up pedal? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).